Question: What is the role of temozolomide in the management of adult patients (aged 65 and under) with newly diagnosed glioblastoma?
Target population: These recommendations apply to adult patients diagnosed with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
Recommendation: Level I: Concurrent and post-irradiation Temozolomide (TMZ) in combination with radiotherapy and post-radiotherapy as described by Stupp et al. is recommended to improve both PFS and OS in adult patients with newly diagnosed GBM. There is no evidence that alterations in the dosing regimen have additional beneficial effect.
Question: Is there benefit to adjuvant temozolomide treatment in elderly patients (> 65 years old?).
Target population: These recommendations apply to adult patients diagnosed with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
Recommendation: Level III: Adjuvant TMZ treatment is suggested as a treatment option to improve PFS and OS in adult patients (over 70 years of age) with newly diagnosed GBM.
Question: What is the role of local regional chemotherapy with BCNU biodegradable polymeric wafers in adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma?
Target population: These recommendations apply to adult patients diagnosed with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
Recommendation: Level III: There is insufficient evidence for the use of BCNU wafers following resection in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma who undergo the Stupp protocol after surgery. Further studies of higher quality are suggested to understand the role of BCNU wafer and other locoregional therapy in the setting of Stupp Protocol.
Question: What is the role of bevacizumab in the adult patient with newly diagnosed glioblastoma?
Target population: These recommendations apply to adult patients diagnosed with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
Recommendation: Level I: Bevacizumab in general is not recommended in the initial treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed GBM. It continues to be strongly recommended that patients with newly diagnosed GBM be enrolled in properly designed clinical trials to assess the benefit of novel chemotherapeutic agents compared to standard therapy.
Keywords: Bevacizumab; Brain tumors; Chemotherapy; GBM; Gliomas; Temozolomide.